About Viterbo

Policy on Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs

Policy Introduction

Viterbo University is committed to providing a safe and healthy learning environment free of illicit drugs, the unlawful use or abuse of alcohol, smoking and tobacco. The University recognizes that the use or consumption of alcohol, tobacco products, and other drugs can adversely impact academic achievement, personal development, health and safety. Individuals who violate university policy, local, state or federal regulations are subject to arrest and/or disciplinary sanctions including, but not limited to, required assessment, treatment, restrictions or expulsion.

Smoking and Tobacco Policy

Viterbo University is a smoke and tobacco free campus. Viterbo University helps ensure a healthy campus environment by prohibiting the use, sale, advertisement and distribution of smoking and tobacco products including, but not limited to cigarettes, chewing tobacco, cigars, e-cigarettes, vaping devices, etc. Smoking and tobacco products are prohibited in University facilities, on University grounds, on sidewalks on and adjacent to university property, in university parking lots, at University-sponsored events, and in University vehicles. Policy violations may be reported in writing to Campus Safety, the Fine Arts Center staff, Human Resources, or Residence Life. Persons violating this policy may be subject to disciplinary action.

Students and employees interested in smoking cessation are encouraged to contact Wisconsin Quit Line at 1-800-QUIT NOW. The Wisconsin Quit Line is available 24/7 and provides free medications, live coaching and web forums. Viterbo Health Services is also available for assistance 608-796-3806.

Medical Amnesty/Good Samaritan Procedures

When a person's health and/or safety is threatened or appears to be a trisk from alcohol or drug consumption, the best course of action is to:

Call 911.

Call Viterbo Campus Safety at 3911 from a Viterbo phone; 608-706-3911 or 608-780-1582 from a non-Viterbo phone.

Visit Mayo Franciscan Healthcare Emergency Room at 710 West Avenue.

Visit Gundersen Health System Emergency Care at 1900 South Avenue.

Medical emergencies: Alcohol and drug consumption can result in a medical emergency. Students and staff should request help with such an emergency immediately by visiting a hospital emergency room or by contacting 911, Campus Security, Health Services or a member of the Residence Life staff.

Self-help guidelines: When a student recognizes that she or he has difficulty with substance abuse and agrees to voluntary withdrawal to participate in a comprehensive substance abuse treatment program at his or her own expense, penalties incurred for disruptive behavior resulting from the use of alcohol or a controlled substance may be waived.

Medical Amnesty/Good Samaritan Procedures:

It is of utmost importance that one calls for medical assistance when a student(s) is severely intoxicated or seriously injured after consuming alcohol or drugs. Because these emergencies can be life threatening, Viterbo works to reduce barriers to seeking assistance.

The University recognizes that sometimes concern about Viterbo disciplinary action may deter students from seeking medical assistance for themselves or others in drug- or alcohol-related emergencies. Therefore, Viterbo University will not take disciplinary action for a violation of Viterbo’s Code of Student Conduct, Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drug Policy, or other university policies, against those students who seek emergency medical assistance for themselves or other students. This protection is not available to those students who also violate some other University policy that warrants disciplinary action (e.g., students who are disruptive or combative, refuse treatment, possess a false identification, commit assault, or do property damage).

The university also recognizes the significant threat to health and safety that a repetition of ingesting dangerous amounts of alcohol or drugs represents and will work to ensure the involved student receives appropriate education and evaluation in order to mitigate this risk. As a result, any student for whom assistance is sought under this policy will be required to complete motivational interviewing, education, assessment, and/or possible referral for treatment. The student will be responsible for any associated costs. Parents of students may also be notified. In the event the student incurs any alcohol violation during the twelve-month period following the Good Samaritan report, the prior assistance file may be reviewed as part of the sanctioning process but will not be counted as a prior alcohol offense for the purpose of imposing mandatory minimum sanctions.

It is Viterbo’s expectation that a student will avoid disciplinary action under this Good Samaritan Policy only once; it is an opportunity to learn from a serious mistake and take healthy steps to avoid such mistakes in the future. The policy does not prevent action by police, or other legal authorities nor does it protect a reporting student from potential criminal or civil liability.

Policy on Alcohol and Other Drugs

The Viterbo University Code of Student Conduct includes the following as proscribed (prohibited) behaviors:

Inability to exercise care for one’s own safety and/or the safety of others due to intoxication.

Behavior that encourages or contributes to excessive alcohol consumption by any student.

Alcoholic beverages may not, in any circumstances, be used by, possessed by or distributed to any person under twenty-one (21) years of age.

In on-campus housing facilities, alcoholic beverages are permitted only when all occupants of an apartment are twenty-one and when all present are age twenty-one or older. No alcohol is allowed in an on-campus housing room or apartment unless all assigned residents or guests present are 21 or older.

Cigarettes may be possessed, but not smoked on university property. E-cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco and other tobacco products are not permitted on university property.

Prescription drugs are permitted on university property only for use by the person to whom the prescription is written.

Violation of any federal (USA), state (Wisconsin) or local law (City of La Crosse or La Crosse County). When off-campus incidents come to the attention of University officials, the officials may follow up with disciplinary action.

Use, sale, advertisement or distribution of tobacco products (i.e. cigarettes, chewing tobacco, cigars, e-cigarettes, vaping devices, etc.) in university facilities, on university grounds, at university events, and in university fleet vehicle.

These stipulations are also University policy.

Serving alcohol to an individual who has not reached 21 years of age is prohibited on Viterbo property and at university-sponsored events.

Moderate amounts of alcohol are permitted and may be consumed in the privacy of on-campus housing facilities when all occupants and/or guests present in the room are 21 years of age or older. In such cases, the doors should be closed and all other policies governing noise and other common courtesies must be followed.

Individuals and groups are responsible for and will be held accountable for their choices and behaviors related to alcohol and other drugs. If an individual or group exhibits alcohol and/or drug intoxication and unruly behavior, the individual and/or group may be sanctioned for both the intoxication and the disruptive behavior.

When off-campus incidents come to the attention of university officials, the officials may follow up with disciplinary action. This may occur following parties, study abroad, travel for university-sponsored events, team travel, etc.

All assigned occupants of a residence hall room or apartment are subject to disciplinary action if a guest or someone in the unit is violating alcohol, tobacco and other drug policies.

Alcohol, controlled substances, and/or related paraphernalia are not permitted in the corridors, stairwells, or floor lounges of any campus facility.

Alcohol, controlled substances and/or related paraphernalia are not permitted in these facilities: Bonaventure Hall, Marian Hall, the Hawk’s Nest, or the Student Union.

No large quantities of alcohol will be permitted in university housing facilities or on travel associated with the university. Providing alcohol to others puts the community and its members at risk.

Common source containers of alcohol (i.e. punch bowls, trashcans, water coolers, etc.) and/or containers holding more than 1.75 liters of alcohol whether empty or full, tapped or untapped (i.e. beer balls, kegs, party balls, pony kegs, etc.) are not permitted on university property, at university-sponsored events or on travel associated with the university. Jell-O shots containing alcohol, pre-mixed punches, spiked punch, “garbage can punch” and other mixtures are considered to be excessive and are prohibited on university property, at university-sponsored events or on travel associated with the university regardless of alcohol content.

Drinking games and other activities which promote excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages are prohibited on university property, at university-sponsored events and on travel associated with the university. Any paraphernalia associated with such activities, including but not limited to beer pong tables, funnels, and shot glasses may be confiscated and not returned.

Display of beer cans, wine and liquor bottles, and/or other alcohol or drug paraphernalia is prohibited on university property.

The possession or use of alcohol paraphernalia, tobacco paraphernalia, or drug paraphernalia is prohibited in campus housing. For the purpose of this policy, paraphernalia is defined as items typically used to dispense alcohol, or to dispense or ingest tobacco or illegal drugs (i.e. bongs/funnels, e-cigarettes, hookahs, kegs, pipes, hookah pens, roach clips, shot glasses, vaping devices, etc.).

Any person found in violation of these policies will have alcohol and/or drugs and related paraphernalia confiscated. Such confiscated items will not be returned.

Alcoholic beverages are not permitted at events planned for students and/or students’ families (such as athletic team banquets, club parties/dances, receptions associated with student art shows and/or student recitals, and events planned for adult learning, graduate, and/or non-traditional students, etc.) unless approved by the Director of the Fine Arts Center and/or the Vice President for Student Affairs. Use of alcoholic beverages is prohibited at all other university-sponsored events unless approved by the President of the university.

The service and/or sale of alcoholic beverages is not permitted on university premises or at university-sponsored functions during the working day from 8 am to 5 pm.

University employees may not store alcohol in offices or use alcoholic beverages on university property.

Alcoholic beverages are prohibited at university-sponsored athletic events on and off-campus.

Alcohol or other drug impaired driving on university property is strictly prohibited and may result in disciplinary action.

Drivers or passengers in university fleet vehicles or vehicles rented/utilized for university travel may not possess or consume alcohol beverages.

Grain alcohol (also known as ethanol or ethyl alcohol) is prohibited on university property, at university-sponsored events or on travel associated with the university except when used in a supervised classroom laboratory.

On-campus advertisements that indicate alcohol as the primary focus of the event are not permitted.

Viterbo Campus Safety personnel may request that the LCPD perform a voluntary breathalyzer test of: (a) individuals who are visibly intoxicated to help assess the need for medical treatment, and (b) individuals to demonstrate that they have not been drinking. Persons may request the breathalyzer test to demonstrate that they have not been drinking. When a breathalyzer is requested by Campus Safety, persons have the right to refuse it. Individuals may not refuse being transported to the hospital when incapacitated. At Viterbo, breathalyzers are used only by members of the La Crosse Police Department.

Application For Service Of Alcoholic Beverages At Events Planned For Students And/Or Students’ Families

To serve alcoholic beverages at a university-sponsored event planned for Viterbo students or with Viterbo students in attendance, one must complete an application. Examples of such events are: athletic team banquets, club parties/dances, receptions associated with student art shows and/or student recitals, and events planned for adult learning, graduate, and/or non-traditional students, etc.

Only Viterbo students who are members of a registered Viterbo student organization or Viterbo employees may apply for service of alcoholic beverages at an event planned for Viterbo students and/or students’ families

Completion of the application is required at least two weeks in advance of the event

Upon completion, the application will be approved or denied by the Director of the Fine Arts Center or the Vice President for Student Affairs.

The applicant will agree to abide by the following stipulations when completing the application form.

Alcohol is not the main focus of the event.

The majority of those present at the event will be 21 years of age or older.

The event will be no longer than 3 hours in duration.

No alcoholic beverages will be served during the last half hour of the event.

One full-time staff or faculty member will be present for the duration of the event.

There will be no reference to the availability of alcohol in invitations to or advertisement of the event.

Alcoholic beverages and servers at on-campus events will be supplied by Aramark or the current food service provider. Service of alcoholic beverages at Viterbo University-sponsored events held off-campus and attended by students is permitted only at banquet facilities with licensed servers

Student consumption of alcoholic beverages for on-campus events will be monitored with an ID check by the licensed servers provided through Aramark or the current food service provider. Said monitoring will be provided by the banquet facilities’ licensed servers at university-sponsored events held off-campus. (The event planner must inform banquet facility personnel of this monitoring responsibility when negotiating facility arrangements or contract.)

The only alcoholic beverages that will be served at the event are beer and wine.

Sufficient quantities of non-alcoholic beverages must be available.

Sufficient quantities of food must be served

Violations of university policy including the Viterbo University Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs policy, the Code of Student Conduct, and/or local, state or federal law may result in disciplinary action.

Series performances (such as the Bright Star and NexStar) with refreshments available for sale in the Fine Arts Center lobby are exempt from this policy. Departmental events with only a few students present are exempt from this policy.

Alcoholic beverages will not be served to students at off-campus events or when traveling off-campus.

Student-athletes

Student athletes are responsible for adherence to policy outlined in the Code of Student Conduct; the Viterbo University Policy on Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs; local, state and federal regulations; and standards imposed by the coach. In addition, all Viterbo student athletes regardless of age are required:

To refrain from the consumption of alcoholic beverages for 48 hours prior to any University-sponsored competitive event.

To report their own on-and off-campus alcohol or drug violations to the team coach and the Director of Athletics.
Typically, these sanctions are imposed by the team coach and the Director of Athletics in addition to the sanctions imposed by University personnel responsible for the enforcement of the Code of Student Conduct. These sanctions may carry forward to the following year.

Third Violation – Suspended one calendar year of athletics competition.

Fourth Violation – Permanently suspended from all further athletic participation at Viterbo University.

Sanctions

Viterbo University Sanctions: Disciplinary sanctions for violation of University regulations

may include warning, disciplinary probation, discretionary or educational assignments, fines, motivational interview, parental notification, referrals, restitution, restrictions or loss of privileges, residence unit suspension, residence unit expulsion, temporary suspension, suspension from the University, or expulsion from the University. Under federal law, the University may notify the parents of alcohol and drug violations if the student is under the age of 21 at the time of notification. While the sanction imposed depend upon the severity of the offense and the history of offenses (if any), disciplinary sanctions typically follow this pattern:

Illegal substances including marijuana, prescribed academic performance enhancing drugs, Riddalin, Aderal and the like, Cocaine and Heroin, hashish and synthetic derivatives are prohibited in university facilities, on university property and/or at university-sponsored events. Any student found responsible for the use or possession of marijuana or other illegal substance may face possible criminal charges. Violations of the drug policy may result in disciplinary action. In addition, the university may require a student who possesses or uses illicit drugs or is found with drug paraphernalia to participate in an approved drug rehabilitation program (at the expense of the student) and to provide the university satisfactory evidence of successful completion of the program and of being drug free.

When it is not possible to determine who within a group of students is responsible for the use, possession, manufacture, sale or distribution of drugs, responsibility for the offense will fall on the occupant in whose room, vehicle or social gathering the violation occurs unless another individual within the group accepts responsibility.

While the sanctions imposed depend upon the severity of the marijuana offense and the history of offenses (if any), disciplinary measures typically follow this pattern:

First Offense – a $100 minimum penalty, a mandatory education program, motivational interview, a warning that another violation may result in suspension or eviction from university housing facilities, and parental notification.

Second Offense – a $200 penalty, a mandatory alcohol and drug assessment, motivational interview, compliance with treatment outlined in the assessment (if any), and a warning of probable suspension or eviction from university housing facilities with another violation, and/or parental notification.

Third Offense – $300 penalty, referral to Director of Student Life for additional penalties that may include suspension or removal from housing facilities, motivational interview, and/or parental notification.

Offenses involving other drugs will be reviewed and sanctioned on a case-by-case basis.

Community Sanctions: Viterbo students are subject to sanctions imposed by officials in their local and/or home communities as well as those imposed by the University. Fines typically imposed on those found to be drinking alcoholic beverages under the age of 21 are shown below. Sanctions usually involve payment for and the completion of an alcohol assessment in addition to the prescribed fines.

The Uniform Controlled Substances Act, Chapter 961, of the Wisconsin Statutes regulates controlled substances and details the penalties for violations. An individual convicted for first-time possession of a controlled substance may receive a sentence of up to $5,000 and one year in prison. A person convicted for manufacturing, delivering or possessing a controlled substance with the intent to manufacture or deliver may be imprisoned for up to 30 years and be fined up to $100,000.

Federal legal sanctions for other drug violations include imprisonment for up to six (6) years for possession of a small amount including less than 250 grams of marijuana. Possession of more than five (5) grams of cocaine with the intent to deliver may result in the penalty of 10 to 16 years imprisonment. A life sentence may be the result of conviction of possession of a controlled substance that results in bodily injury or death. Other sanctions for possession of a controlled substance include fines up to $ 250,000, forfeiture of property, confiscation of property, community service, denial of federal benefits including student loans and financial aid, fines, imprisonment, mandatory assessment, suspension of driver’s license, and/or probation. The severity of the disciplinary action depends upon the amount and type of controlled substance, the number of previous offenses, and the site and nature of the criminal activity.

Drug-Free Workplace Policy Statement

Viterbo University is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace in compliance with applicable state and federal laws. The unlawful possession, use, distribution, dispensation, sale or manufacture of controlled substances is prohibited on University premises and at University work sites. Use of alcoholic beverages at University events is prohibited except when approved by the director of the Fine Arts Center, the Vice President for Student Affairs or by the President as appropriate.

Employee violation of this policy may be cause for action including, but not limited to, referral to appropriate agency or agencies for evaluation and to determine the appropriate treatment or rehabilitation, participation in a drug rehabilitation program, separation from University duty, termination of employment, and/or referral for prosecution. Participation in a treatment program will not affect future employment or career advancement, nor will participation protect employees from disciplinary action for substandard job performance. Students who violate this policy will be governed by the University’s Code of Student Conduct and subject to disciplinary action up to and including suspension, expulsion and referral for prosecution.

Under the requirements of the Drug Free Workplace Act of 1988, an employee who is convicted of any criminal drug offense must notify his or her supervisor within 5 days. When notified of an employee conviction for an offense occurring in the workplace by an employee working on a federal grant or contract, the University will inform the granting or contracting federal agency within 10 days.

Health Risks Associated with Use of Drugs and Alcohol

This is a partial list of drugs and the results of their usage. The evidence is clear that alcohol and drugs are harmful to one’s health and one’s learning environment. Drugs can obstruct learning processes and cause disruption for the user and others. Early diagnosis of and treatment for alcohol and drug abuse is in the best interest of the student and the campus community.

Alcohol

Is a mind-altering drug because it contains ethanol and the chemical ability to depress the nervous system.

As a depressant, alcohol affects motor coordination, speech and vision even at low levels of blood alcohol.

Great amounts can affect respiration and heart rate. Death may result when blood alcohol exceeds 0.40 %.

Prolonged use can lead to alcoholism, malnutrition, cirrhosis, and increased risk of cancer of the esophagus, stomach, pancreas, liver and heart.

Tobacco

Smoking is addictive and is the cause of bad breath, yellowed fingers, foul smelling clothing, shortness of breath, and decreased athletic performance.

Smoking is associated with coronary heart disease, stroke, ulcers, respiratory infections, lung cancer (as well as cancer of the larynx, esophagus, pancreas, stomach and uterine cervix), bronchitis, emphysema, early menopause and stillborn and premature children. Tobacco causes 30% of all cancer deaths. One in three smokers will die prematurely from tobacco use.